Pete Rose

Rose, Pete (Peter Edward Rose), 1941–, American baseball player, b. Cincinnati. The National League Rookie of the Year in 1963 and Most Valuable Player in 1973, Rose was a switch hitter who played outfield and infield positions; his career was spent with the Cincinnati Reds (1963–78, 1984–86), the Philadelphia Phillies (1979–83), and the Montreal Expos (1984). Nicknamed "Charlie Hustle," Rose won three National League batting titles (1968, 1969, 1973) and set the major-league record for hits (4,256), surpassing Ty Cobb's mark. He also set the major league record for games played (3,562) and hit safely in 44 consecutive games in 1978, setting a modern National League record. Rose was manager of the Cincinnati Reds from 1984 until 1989, when he was banned for life from baseball for betting activities after an investigation by Major League Baseball. In 1990 he spent five months in jail for tax evasion. Since then Rose has campaigned to regain his eligibility for the Hall of Fame, publicly admitting in 2004 that he bet on baseball and apologizing for it.